Iranian Elections

[Hosakawa Tito]

There's no way the US will militarily intervene in Iran; we don't have the resources, men, and/or the political will nor the right to do so. That would be giving the current regime there just what they want & need, someone to blame their failures & shortcomings on. 30 years ago they had a legitimate grievence about outside interference, but not this time, though they are certainly going to be complaining of "outside interference" this time too. Nope, the self-delusion has been exposed, and the current regime is no better than the one it replaced, no surprises there. The protester shouts of "Death to the dictators" are an echo from the past during the reign of the Shah. Now the old revolutionaries have come full circle and history repeats itself, except this time they have no one to blame but themselves.

It's difficult to watch and disheartening to see such brutality inflicted upon people who expected better treatment from their government, but I can't say I'm absolutely shocked. Those who hold absolute power tend to go to violent extremes to keep it.

Hopefully the nations of the free world will have the political will to "call a spade a spade" because you can be certain that there will be support for this fraud coming from like minded regimes.

[Marshal Murat]

Ayatollah orders fraud probe

Iran's state television said Monday that the supreme leader ordered an investigation into claims of fraud in last week's presidential election.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the powerful Guardian Council to examine the allegations by pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has claimed widespread vote rigging in Friday's election. The government declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner in a landslide victory.

It was a stunning turnaround for Iran's most powerful figure, who previously welcomed the results.

Very interesting and very smart decision.

[Conqueror]

It's smart alright. Of corse, if the election was rigged then so will be the investigation, but in either case it's an effort to calm the protests.